Thursday, July 31, 2014

I thought today would be the perfect day to share one of my favorite cocktail recipes: the French 75.

I love gin and I absolutely love champagne so this is a match made in heaven, for sure (see another favorite gin recipe of mine here)! I was headed to my friend, Amanda's, and I thought this would be a fun drink to bring along for the festivities! It was great to sip on as she taught me how to make homemade sushi!

What you'll need:

Fresh lemon juice

Simple Syrup

Gin

Sparkling wine

Lemon twist

All you need to do is mix all of the ingredients together in a cocktail shaker (except for the sparkling wine). Once mixed, pour drink mixture over sparkling wine. Garnish with the lemon peel and you're all set! So simple and so fresh and delicious. What's your go-to cocktail? Have a fabulous day!

I don't know much about the British sport... in fact, I really knew nothing at all, so I went on a wild Google search to teach myself about Cricket. A few articles and YouTube videos later and I've decided it looks like a mini version of baseball.

What I also noticed? They don't wear 'cricket sweaters'! Bummer. I'm a huge fan of the style: preppy, sporty and relaxed.. just the way I think summer weekends should be! Anyways, I swiped one of my dad's old sweaters one chilly night (it was actually 55 degrees, brrr) to lounge in and get some work done and I might have worn it 6 other instances...it has yet to make it back to his closet (oops, sorry, dad!!). It's a unisex classic and you really can't go wrong. The sweater I am sporting in the above photos is older than I am, but I found a few options if you are looking to pick up cricket ;). This is true proof that this is a classic and a piece you will have forever. It simply doesn't go out of style-- but then again, I guess it was never 'in' either.

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This version is most similar to the one I am wearing in the above photos... grab it now while it's on sale for just $55... and this one is just $49! Also, don't be afraid to shop the men's... they usually have the coziest and best sweaters! Have a fabulous day!

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

So many songs that reference Sundays... like Lionel Richie's Easy Like Sunday Morning or another favorite of mine, Maroon 5's Sunday Morning. Truthfully, I used to dread Sundays. Sundays in college meant my sorority's chapter meeting, only a few dining locations were open and homework-- lots of it.

However, I'm just now starting to enjoy my Sundays. It's a great day to sleep in, to recover from Saturday night, to brunch, to be lazy or to be productive... it's what you make of it, right? I've started to really try to make my weekends as relaxing as possible considering my job was ranked 5th most stressful job of 2014. So when I get a weekend free of travel or work obligations, I relish it!

Something that now makes my Sundays/weekends even better? My Nespresso! I had been wanting one for a while and decided to go for it... I really don't love Keurigs so I was a little put off by the similarities, but let me tell you: this makes amazing espresso!! I really had my doubts but I am a new believer. When you purchase the machine, it comes with a variety pack of pods to sample. After sampling a bunch, I was able to determine my favorites. I really love the arpeggio, ristretto, fortissio lungo and then for decaf, the decaffinato intenso. It's really amazing how simple it is to make my own cappuccinos, lattes, etc. as well as control the intensity of the espresso.

I have been loving making myself a macchiato which is an espresso shot with milk foam on top! I think I'll especially love the convenience of my Nespresso in the freezing cold winter months. Being able to enjoy a cappuccino without stepping foot outside will make me one happy camper, for sure!

I've also been trying to eat delicious breakfasts on the weekend considering my Monday-Friday breakfast is either non-existent or consists of coffee and a banana. La Gourmandine is a French bakery in Pittsburgh that has the most amazing pastries... I've been picking them up on Saturday mornings and bringing them home to enjoy for the rest of the weekend. I've also been making bagels with cream cheese, capers, onions and lox...yumm! Not to mention lots of omelette making. We have a pretty back patio with lots of comfortable furniture so lounging outside, enjoying an espresso with breakfast and catching up on blogs/e-mails or reading is definitely my happy place and makes for a weekend well spent!

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Do you have a Nespresso? What are your favorite pods? Have a fabulous day!

Monday, July 28, 2014

I thought I would share this fab navy midi skirt I scored at the Nordstrom Anniversary sale (#nsale). I love the ladylike look of a midi skirt... this one has a great texture and the deep navy shade makes it appropriate for all seasons. It has a matching cropped top and I tried both pieces on together but the look was too boxy and quite unflattering on my frame!

I have received a few requests to put together some 'work appropriate' outfits and this one is definitely something I would rock in an office setting. It's conservative, classic and simple, but the heeled strappy sandals and tied up shirt give it a more youthful look. It would transition nicely from desk to dinner!

I wear a lot of this silhouette-- a button down tied up and a fuller skirt... it's one of my favorite looks and reminds me of Carolina Herrera. The #nsale runs through August 4th so get shopping-- This skirt is currently $59.90 but will go back up to $90 when the sale has ended. Check out another post highlighting great pumps from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale! Have a fabulous day!

Saturday, July 26, 2014

I've been getting a lot of e-mails/questions regarding the suit in the above photos! You can find it here for under $40! It's such a great suit with a good amount of coverage, too! Love the navy and white and the fact that you can pull the straps down to avoid tan lines without the top falling down! Have a fabulous day!

Friday, July 25, 2014

I am in love with this black dress! I don't know if it's the beautiful detail around the neck or the light and airy fabric, but if I had a cocktail even to attend, I would scoop this up in a heartbeat! Here's to hoping that someone reading is looking for a fun and flirty cocktail dress and that this fits the bill-- then let me know how you wear it so I can live vicariously through you! The best part about shopping on ASOS? The Runway videos... seriously, I think every single retailer/brand should have this option. It shows how the piece is worn so much better!

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Scroll through to see some other ASOS options I am currently loving! Have a fabulous day!

I'm so excited to be featuring the Rebecca dress that Jolie and Elizabeth sent to me! I featured Jolie and Elizabeth years ago and have always loved their classic, flattering cuts and high quality pieces. Not to mention, J&E is made in the U.S., right in New Orleans!

Seersucker is definitely one of my favorite summertime fabrics.... I almost shed a tear every year when it is time to put all of my seersucker in storage! This dress is a classic with a youthful scalloped hem.

Not to mention, I took the dress out of the box and it fit perfectly... It was like it was made for me. This is super rare... I always have to have something nipped or hemmed at the tailors so I was thrilled!

Another thing I love about this dress is that it is lined. Seersucker is a naturally thin fabric, so it's great to know that this is well lined. This is the absolute perfect frock for work, brunch, bridal showers, lunch at the club and so on... it really works for so many things-- I think it would especially be fun to wear to Carolina Cup or Foxfields with a big hat!

I also love that it effortlessly pairs with Jack Rogers and pearls-- two of my daily summertime wardrobe staples. It instantly dresses up the outfit even more. I wore this Jolie and Elizabeth dress to work and then out to dinner with family on an incredibly hot day. It worked seamlessly from desk to dinner and I received many compliments and stayed cool all day. Which dress by J&E is your favorite? Have a fabulous day!

Thursday, July 24, 2014

I have been sick for the past few days which is a total drag. It got so bad yesterday that I didn't go into work and couldn't do anything that required much brain power or energy. I slept most of the day, but when I was awake, I had a movie playing. I started to think about some of my favorites... most of them are 'old' but I thought I would share in hopes that you would recommend your favorite movies! I keep a board on Pinterest of my favorites, too!

Father of the Bride

When Harry Met Sally

What Women Want

Home Alone

Pretty In Pink

16 Candles

About Time

Great Gatsby (2013)

Eloise

Risky Business

American Psycho

St. Elmo's Fire

The Dark Knight Rises

The Thomas Crown Affair

About Last Night

Parent Trap (on Netflix!!)

Harry Potter Series

The Blind Side

So what are your favorites?! I also just finished Southern Charm by Tinsley Mortimer-- it was such a quick and easy read but so cute! I definitely recommend! Have a fabulous day!

Ok so, I'm not normally a Forever21 shopper, but I needed some 'fast fashion' for this past bachelorette weekend. I knew we were going to a club (literally) and so I wanted something stylish/chich/trendy while still staying true to myself; so, the night before my flight, I ran to Forever21 and found just what I was looking for. I also knew I wanted to spend as little as possible because I will most likely never wear either of these dresses again.

Do you ever shop Forever21? Have you ever been to a club (and no, this time, I do not mean a country club ;) ? This was my second time... the time before I was in the Bahamas, too-- let's just say that probably deserves its own blog post, ha! All in all, it was so much fun, and I am so glad I had these cute pieces for the trip because my back up was this J. Crew shift dress and after the experience, that would not have worked!! Have a fabulous day!